MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics, Inc., a developer of innovative temperature-sensing cardiac ablation systems, today announced results of several studies related to the company’s TEMPASURE™ cardiac ablation catheter. The TEMPASURE system is designed to improve clinical outcomes with a novel microwave radiometry technology that allows the electrophysiologist to measure the temperature of cardiac tissue during the ablation procedure, providing real-time information that enables proper energy delivery and lesion control. Presentations took place at the Heart Rhythm Society's 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions in Boston, Mass.
Jacob Koruth, M.D., of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York presented results of a preclinical study confirming the ability of the TEMPASURE system to predict ‘steam pops,’ a risk of irrigated radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation that can cause cardiac perforation, which can have severe clinical consequences.
“This pre-clinical study demonstrates that the TEMPASURE’s ability to measure tissue temperature during irrigated RF ablation allows for accurate prediction of steam pops,” said Vivek Reddy, M.D., F.A.C.C., director of Electrophysiology Laboratories at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, who serves on the company’s medical advisory board. “This represents a major step forward in catheter ablation because, with the precise temperature measurements possible with TEMPASURE during the ablation procedure, we can now eradicate this major safety concern for the electrophysiologist. I anticipate that TEMPASURE will also give the physician more confidence in the quality of each RF application."
Atsushi Ikeda, M.D., Ph.D., working with Hiroshi Nakagawa, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, presented additional preclinical data showing that the TEMPASURE system can improve control and safety of RF lesion formation. Results of the presentation show that TEMPASURE’s measurement of temperature is highly correlated to lesion depth and accurately predicts the formation of steam pops.
“The preclinical data presented at HRS confirms the ability of the TEMPASURE system to prevent the occurrence of steam pops as well as predict lesion quality – promising an ablation technique with improved safety and efficacy for patients with cardiac arrhythmias,” said Bill Olson, president and chief executive officer of Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics. “We look forward to bringing this innovative technology to patients and physicians in Europe later this year.”
The TEMPASURE cardiac ablation catheter received CE Mark clearance in 2011.
About Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cardiac arrhythmias occur when the electrical impulses in the heart don't work properly, causing the heart to beat too fast, too slowly or irregularly. Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are fast cardiac arrhythmias that are the leading cause of stroke and can be life-threatening.
About Cardiac Catheter Ablation
Cardiac catheter ablation procedures are used to treat a variety of cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. The procedures involve advancing a catheter into the heart and selectively ablating certain areas of tissue in order to prevent the spread of electrical signals that give rise to the arrhythmia. The temperature of the tissue during ablation is critical – lower temperatures are ineffective, and temperatures that are too high can result in dangerous over-heating. Saline irrigation ensures that lesions are created safely and are effective deeper inside the cardiac tissue. However, the inclusion of irrigation negates the effectiveness of conventional thermometry.
About the TEMPASURE Cardiac Ablation Catheter
The TEMPASURE system is designed to improve patient outcomes of cardiac ablation procedures by providing electrophysiologists with real-time validation information and greater control in lesion creation. The system’s novel passive sensing microwave radiometry technology allows the electrophysiologist to measure the temperature of cardiac tissue during the ablation procedure, providing real-time information that enables proper energy delivery and lesion control. This technology enables, for the first time, measurement of tissue temperature with a saline-irrigated RF catheter.
About Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics
Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., privately held Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics, Inc. specializes in advanced irrigated cardiac catheter ablation systems with proprietary temperature-sensing technology for the treatment of patients with cardiac arrhythmias. Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics is a portfolio company of NBGI Ventures. For more information visit www.actmed.net.
About NBGI Ventures
NBGI Ventures, established in 2001, is the only European venture capital fund investing exclusively in medical device companies. With over €100 million in total commitments under management, NBGI Ventures is based in London and considers investments across Europe and the U.S. Companies it has supported to date include Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics (USA), BoneSupport (Sweden), Cellnovo (UK), Dysis Medical (UK), EOS Imagine (France), Estech (USA), Quanta Fluid Solutions (UK), Reverse Medical (USA), SuperSonic Imagine (France), Symetis (Switzerland), Technolas/2010 Perfect Vision (Germany) and Upfront Chromatography (Denmark). NBGI Ventures is a division of NBGI Private Equity Limited, which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. For more information, please visit www.nbgipe.com/ventures
Nicole Osmer, 650-454-0504